February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

AgriTech (agricultural technology) refers to the application of technology to improve agricultural productivity, sustainability, and supply chain efficiency. The sector includes precision farming using drones and sensors, vertical and indoor farming, hydroponics and aquaponics, AI-driven crop management, genetic engineering, automated harvesting, cold chain logistics, and water-efficient irrigation systems. AgriTech is particularly critical for arid nations seeking food security with limited arable land and water resources.

UAE Context

The UAE faces acute food security challenges, importing approximately 90 percent of its food due to an arid climate, limited arable land, and scarce freshwater resources. In response, the country has made AgriTech a national priority. The UAE Food Security Strategy 2051 targets improving food availability and reducing waste. The country has invested in vertical farming through companies such as Madar Farms and Emirates Crop One, which operates one of the world’s largest vertical farms in Dubai. The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in Dubai conducts research on crops resilient to saltwater and desert conditions. The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority promotes controlled environment agriculture and aquaculture as alternatives to traditional farming.

Key Data

  • Food import dependence: Approximately 90 percent of food is imported
  • National strategy: UAE Food Security Strategy 2051
  • Key investments: Vertical farming, hydroponics, desert-adapted crops
  • Research center: International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA)
  • Major facility: Emirates Crop One vertical farm (one of world’s largest)

Significance for Vision 2031

AgriTech addresses one of the UAE’s most critical strategic vulnerabilities: food security. The We the UAE 2031 vision prioritizes reducing import dependence through domestic food production innovation. AgriTech investments in vertical farming, controlled environment agriculture, and water-efficient systems align with sustainability goals while creating a new technology-driven agricultural sector. Success in desert agriculture could also become an exportable knowledge product for other arid nations.